cars news 10: 6 Things We Liked From the Ferrari Finali Mondiali

For the first time, the Ferrari Finali Mondiali—the championship event for Ferrari’s customer racing programs—took place in North America. The legendary Daytona International Speedway became the Ferrari capital for one weekend, as hundreds of supercars raced for a world championship. With drivers coming from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, the Finali turned into a spectacle for those passionate about the Italian brand. Ferrari invited us to hop along in Florida, and these are six of the things that we liked the most.

You can buy F1 race cars

Have you ever wondered what happens to the race cars that travel around the world to compete in Formula 1 after they are done for the season? Ferrari sells them to their most ardent clients. But even when you own an F1 race car, you have to abide by the rules that Maranello sets. For example, you can’t alter the cars in any way, and although you’re the owner, the car can’t live under a roof the whole time because Ferrari likes to bring the cars to shows around the world.

If you do decide to buy an F1 race car, you also get to attend a driving school where former Scuderia pilots teach you everything about the car.

December marked the first time that F1 cars drove around the 31-degree banks of Daytona.

Ferrari Classiche Concours d’Elegance

The Italian brand held a Classiche Concours d’Elegance between their most passionate collectors for the first time. The 73 classic cars that entered the concours had a combined value of about $560 million, and the most expensive entry was worth $70 million. All the cars have to be running to participate, and 22 judges selected the winners in six guidelines.

The 1947 166 MM Touring Barchetta won Best in Show, and the Most Elegant Classiche Certified Ferrari award went to a 1957 250 GT Cabriolet Pinifarina Spider Series 1. The Most Historically Significant Ferrari honor was given to a 330 P4 Drogo Spider. Two 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamericas won awards—a Pininfarina Cabriolet with the Best of Show Ferrari Classiche Road Ferrari grant and a Pininfarina Aerodinamico 400SA won Best Concours Prepared Classiche Ferrari. Finally, the Most Elegant Classiche Certified Ferrari award was given to a 1957 250 GT Cabriolet Pinifarina Spider Series 1.

Just shy of a Guinness World Record

Ferrari tried to break a Guinness World Record with more than 1,000 Ferraris driving around a track. Unfortunately, the parade fell 191 cars short. There were definitely more than 1,000 Ferraris in Daytona, but some of the owners were not present to drive them when the parade started. It took more than two hours to organize the parade, and some said they were only able to drive up to 10 mph.

Silverstone still holds that record with 964 Ferraris back in 2012.

The new car for next season

The 458 Challenge was the car that most racers used this season, and for 2017 the Prancing Horse pilots will be able to use the 488 Challenge, which was revealed in Daytona. It will be the sixth model to participate in the one-make series, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Compared to the 488 GTB, the race car features specific engine mapping, shorter gear ratios, and reverse front radiators to increase aerodynamics. A bigger rear spoiler with an airfoil profile is said to boost efficiency by 9 percent when compared to the 458 Challenge EVO.

The 488 Challenge will be the first race car to have the Side Slip Control technology, which improves cornering and acceleration out of corners to provide maximum traction throughout.

Ferrari 488 Challenge front three quarters

Ferrari 488 Challenge rear three quarter

First time in America

Although the U.S. is the largest market for Ferrari, this year was the first time that the Finali Mondiali was held in America. “It’s about time we came here and celebrated with our American customers and fans,” Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne said. The championship will go back to Mugello, Italy, with hopes to revive the Ferrarista fever in another part of the world in 2018. Two years ago, the Finali left Italy for the first time to be held Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.

F1 Spectacle

The show that F1 Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen gave on Daytona was an event most of the attendants were waiting for. After a couple of hot laps around the circuit, the mechanical team showed the public how fast they can switch the tires, and later the pilots did doughnuts to delight the spectators.